This Week's Top Stories About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine espresso and filter coffee machine Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the perfect cup of coffee. How exactly does it work?

To make an espresso, espressomachines hot water is pushed under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However, the pressure is the main difference.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter you place in the espresso maker when making it. It distributes water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure of the extraction. There are several different types of group head each with its unique advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for temperature stability while others are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. There are some that come with a range of features, like the E61 that is the classic choice among many baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple perks in a single package.

As you can see in the above image, the group head has numerous notches that you can place your portafilter and twist it manually to secure it. A gasket made of rubber is placed within the notches to create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head permit an exact location of the portafilter which is crucial for an even extraction.

The group head not only lets you to insert your portafilter easily, but it also maintains the temperature at a constant level. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket and around the portafilter, making sure that it is always at the correct temperature for extraction. This is vital, because even a few degrees can mean the difference between good and great espresso.

The Pump

The motorized pumps in rotary espresso machines provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure needed for espresso extraction. This is different from manual piston machines that use levers. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer. However, both types of machines can degrade with overuse and insufficient cleaning. They also add mechanical complexity and coffee machine espresso can lead to costly prices for even the most basic models.

Certain espresso machines eliminate the pump completely and instead employ steam pressure to create espresso. The drawback of this is that the same boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of water to boiling which can cause over-extraction. They also have to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This takes energy and time.

Many espresso machines make use of the rotary or vibration pump, with a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to generate the pressure and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both types of machine can make excellent espresso, but Rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that heats the water to the right temperature for extraction. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter that contains ground espresso beans and is then pumped into the cup. During this process the steam is able to create enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a layer of crema on top. This is one of the main characteristics of a good espresso.

There are three different types of espresso machines, each having different pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are different ways in which the brew can be controlled, as well as the size of the cup the machine is capable of making.

The first espresso machines were steam-types. They utilized one boiler to make both brew and steam, however, the pressure they could produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is the reason Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.

The most popular espresso maker is a semi-automatic device with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they imagine these machines. If you have a semi-automatic machine you must grind the beans and tamp them by hand, but the pump provides regulated water flow and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanised accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines have filters that separate the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also a vital component of the machine's temperature control, since it stops overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor, as it permits a longer flowering phase. This helps the beans release their flavors and provides the chance for better extraction.

However it is crucial to keep in mind that even a high-quality filter could result in a bad cup of coffee as the quality of the beans and extraction is important.

It's here that the magic occurs. This is what makes espresso taste so delicious. The grouphead, also called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the coffee grounds into) sits when you're making espresso.

In the steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam is then pushed through the grounds at high pressure. These kinds of machines are generally less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. They are however limited in their ability to create the ideal conditions for brewing, as they operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They utilize an air compressor to force the hot water through the grounds and are significantly more portable than steam-driven electric machines.